IPL 2019 | David Warner believes IPL is perfect lead up to the World Cup
BCCI
David Warner has stated that the IPL is the perfect lead-up to any limited-overs assignment, and he is looking forward to giving his best in the league. Although the Sydneysider did not rule himself out a World Cup berth, he added that he is not thinking about the quadrennial event at the moment.
David Warner and Steve Smith were banned for a year and the young Cameron Bancroft for a period of nine months for their involvement in the ball tampering scandal of 2018 in the South Africa series. The Australian southpaw is all set to return with the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League for his franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.Â
Warner did not get selected for the ODI series against Pakistan in UAE, but he did visit the Australian dressing room and was delighted to receive a warm welcome. The IPL is the only major tournament that he will play on the road to the World Cup and he will be hungry to make a mark.
"Going into any tournament, the best practice is to play white-ball cricket and that's what I'm looking forward to. If I get selected [for the World Cup], I know this is the perfect lead up to any white-ball competition, irrespective of being a one-day format or a T20 format. So, going out there practising and playing the way I do and putting a 110 per cent in, that is my focus”, the 32-year-old told India Today.
Nonetheless, the New South Wales opener, who took the Orange Army to their maiden title win in 2016, was also quick to point out that his full focus is on giving his best for his franchise, and at present, the mega tournament is not on his mind.
"Personally for me, the World Cup is not on my mind. We have to wait for selection. Here it's about going out there and doing well for Sunrisers Hyderabad, doing my best and scoring for my team," he said.
"With everything going on in the last four months, I was at the forefront of his mind, I'm in the Sunrisers family's mind and that they're gonna welcome me with open arms as soon as the IPL starts. I'm really grateful for it and just ready to get back into it," he added.
Earlier, VVS Laxman, who has seen the batsman closely as SRH’s mentor, had laid out a heap of praise for the returning player, praising his dedication and immense contribution to the game.
"The fans have been fantastic. My teammates, lots of cuddles and Hi-5s, it's been brilliant. It felt like I was at home I can't thank them enough for sticking by me and always sending me nice messages. Laxman is a very, very humble human being and he always has nothing but nice things to say. The words he used the other day really meant a lot
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